Chain tong wrench



. Jan. 21, 1958 E. D. ERICKSON 2,820,384 7 CHAIN TONG WRENCH Filed May 4, 1956 Fig./

Eugene Dufriclrson I INVENTOR.

CHAIN TONG WRENCH Eugene D. Erickson, Casper, Wyo. Application May 4, 1956, Serial No. 582,884

.1 Claim. (Cl. 81-69) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements, and more specifically to an improved pipe wrench of the chain tong type.

The use of chain tong wrenches is old and well-known. However, there is usually great difficulty in releasing the chain tong wrench and unhooking the chain thereof once it has had pressure put on it in the turning of a pipe. Many times it is necessary to hammer the wrench loose from the pipe and to use a wrecking bar or other object to pry the chains out of the locks therefor. After this has been re peated a few times, the chain is damaged and is thereafter difficult to rehook.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide an improved chain tong wrench which is so constructed whereby after a pipe turning operation the chain may automatically be released in response to a movement of the handle of the wrench in an opposite direction from that used in applying pressure to turn the pipe so that the chain tong wrench is automatically loosened from the pipe and the chain slacks so that it may be unhooked upon the completion of a pipe turning operation.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved chain tong wrench which includes a head having a pivotally mounted handle, the handle having terminally connected thereto one end of the pipe retaining chain whereby when the chain tong wrench is used in the pipe turning operation the movement of the handle in one direction will automatically tension the chain to clamp the pipe to the head of the chain tong wrench and when the handle is moved in an opposite direction after the turning of the pipe, the chain, which is connected to the handle, is automatically slacked to permit the releasing of the chain tong Wrench from the pipe.

A further object of this invention is to provide improved chain tong wrench of the type which includes a pivotally mounted handle, the handle being disposed in a socket formed in the head of the chain tong wrench and being engageable with the head after relatively limited movement so that the handle may be used as a hammer for dislodging the head from a pipe once the pipe is turned to the desired position by the chain tong wrench.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the chain tong wrench, which is the subject of this invention, and shows it engaged with a pipe, the pipe being shown in section and the handle having a major portion of the length thereof cut off;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the chain tong wrench of Figure 1 and shows further the details thereof;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 3-3 of Figure 1 and shows the manner in which pipe clamping 2,820,384 Patented Jan. 21, 1958 jaws are removably attached to the head of the chain tong wrench; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 44 of Figure 1 and shows the manner in which the handle is pivotally connected to the head.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated the chain tong wrench which is the subject of this invention, the chain tong Wrench being referred to in general by reference numeral 10. The wrench 10 includes an elongated head 12 which has a reduced central portion 14, an enlarged rounded forward end 16 and a generally trapezoidal shaped rear end 18. Secured to opposite sides of the forward portion of the head 12 by means of suitable fasteners 20 are serrated jaws 22. It is to be noted that the end 12 is provided with recesses 24 for receiving the jaws 22, as is best illustrated in Figure 3.

The rear end 18 of the head 12 is provided with a generally V-shaped socket 26 in which there is received a generally V-shaped forward part 28 of an elongated handle 30. The handle 30 is pivotally connected to the head 12 by means of a pivot pin 32 disposed at the forward end of the handle 30.

Connected to the forward part of the handle 30 by means of a pin 34 is one end of a clamping chain 36. The clamping chain 36 is of a size to be passed around a pipe, such as the pipe 38, engaged with the clamping jaws 22, and around the rounded forward portion 16 and over a suitable hook 40 carried by the upper side of the forward portion 16.

When the chain 36 is engaged with the pipe 38, the handle 30 is pivoted towards the pipe 38. One of the links of the chain 36 is then hooked over the hook 459 to tension the chain 36 as much as possible considering the length of the links of the chain 36. When the handle 30 is moved to a central position, such as that shown in Figure 1, the chain 36 is taut and urges the pipe 38 into engagement with the clamping jaws 20. As additional pressure is applied on the handle 30, it is rotated about the pivot pin 32, whereby the pipe 38 is more securely clamped. Thus, as a greater amount of pressure is necessary to turn the pipe 38, this extra pressure will result in a greater gripping of the pipe 38.

After the pipe 38 has been turned as is deemed necessary, the handle 30 is again pivoted toward the pipe 38. This automatically releases the chain 36. In the event the head 12 should be locked with respect to the pipe 38 due to the interlocking of the clamping jaws 22 with the pipe 38, the limited movement of the handle 38 with respect to the head 12 and the engagement of the forward portion 28 of the handle 30 with the wall of the socket 26 will permit the handle 30 to be used as a hammer to release the head 12 from the pipe 38. Inasmuch as the chain 36 has become slack, once the head 12 is being removed from the pipe 38, the chain 36 may be easily disengaged from the hook 40 so as to remove the chain tong Wrench 10 from the pipe 38.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the inven tion as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

A chain tong wrench comprising a head, a handle, a pivot pivotally connecting said handle to said head, a jaw on said head, a chain having one end secured to said handle, means on said head for adjustably retaining an opposite end of said chain whereby pivoting ofsaid handle References Cited. in the file of this patentserves to selectively loosen and tighten said chain, said UNITED STATES PATENTS head having a socket formed by a pair of outwardly d1- verging Walls and a pair of parallel walls, said handle hav- 733,648 Hultgren I my 1903 ing one end seated in said socket with the pivot secured 5 10461596 Jackson 1912 to said parallel walls whereby pivotal movement of said 1064O36 Whltfield June 1913 handle is limited and said handle may be used as a ham- 1,196,359 Holmes 1916 met to loosen said jaw from the work. 

